There were times 30 years ago when players would just run during the winter pre-season period. Today the break in the league season and the training program is much more complex. We sat down to talk with Henning Berg in the Dubai hotel about the first week. 

"The players are now in a better condition than when we started in the summer. That has resulted in us being able to start work at a higher level than in June. We started with various measurements and we could see exactly that everything is fine. Here in Dubai, we are holding a training camp that is exactly that. The training camp in Spain will include more friendly matches. This does not mean that we are only focusing on the fitness side of things. We are in a good shape and we do not need the players to run for 3 weeks. This was the fashion 30 years ago. Naturally we are also working hard in this area, but there is time for football specific things and the individual preparations."

There was less time in the summer for preparing as we had our first EL game against Zaria Balti on the 30th June. We asked the manager what it meant to have the players at the disposal of the coaching staff for 6 weeks until the start of the spring season. 

„Naturally there is time now to work on those elements that is not really possible during the league season. However, you should not imagine that we are practising this and that for 3 weeks. This is a good chance to lift the playing level. This will be followed by the friendly games. The results of these friendly games will not be the most important factor as is the case in the league. However, each game will give us the chance to correct the mistakes and develop. It will also allow us to try out one or two new things. Naturally it will also be good to win these matches."

This is the first time that the team are training in the Emirates. Henning Berg has already been here, although it was not as a manager, but as a player for both Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United. 

"I was here as a player with the English teams but that was a long time ago (laughter). We had the option to go to Turkey for the first training camp, but we opted for the Emirates. We had to travel longer, but we knew that the weather and the training facilities would be perfect. Many European and international sides come out here and I have spoken to several of my colleagues who have been here in a training camp. They all had only good things to say and they were right. I am satisfied with the facilities. The training pitches are very good and the weather is really fine. The gym is well equipped and the attitude of the players is very good. They are partners to hard work. I am happy with pre-season so far. It will be slightly colder in Spain and the games we play there will have weather that is similar to Hungary in March and April."

The departure of Robert Feczesin was also mentioned. The 11 times capped forward has moved to South Korean side Jeonnam Dragons. 

"Robert played a large part in the teams development. He also improved as a player but he did not start the summer pre-season in the best of form. He did not score that many goals in the 2015/2016 season, but he moved really well in the autumn season. He was more dangerous in the box and build up a good understanding with his team mates. I know that he did not start all of the matches but was almost always given the chance during games. He also did well when he played. He handled competition for places well and I am sure that he enjoyed playing as well as he did. We would have wanted him to stay after his contract came to an end in the summer, but there were offers from elsewhere and he decided on moving on."

The team will play their first winter pre-season game on Wednesday at 17:00pm against Zenit. The Norwegian coach knows that it is important for the players to pick up experience against international opponents. 

"I am sure that it will be a good game and the players will be ready against such opponents. The players were given an individual program during the break, so we did not start from zero last week. It is good motivation for us to play against a strong side as this. We also need these games to develop. Zenit are a side whose quality we would like to get closer to in the future."